PAC

WHY Cancer Charity

WHYoutdoors

Forthcoming courses:

2025 course dates to be confirmed

WHYoutdoors-Improving wellbeing through nayure connection. A therapeutic, six-week course for people living with and beyond cancer.

Read our research into WHYoutdoors

WHYoutdoors is a course to help people living with and beyond cancer to explore the benefits of a closer connection to nature for their wellbeing. A small, closed group of participants meets in an outdoor setting for one day a week over six weeks, to take part in solo and group activities designed to enhance emotional and physical wellbeing, guided by two specialist facilitators, who are also counsellors at We Hear You.

It's possible to take part in WHYoutdoors at any point from diagnosis onwards, with no time limit thereafter, although the uneven woodland site means this group may not be suitable if you have additional mobility needs and/or use mobility aids. You will have an opportunity to discuss the course with a WHYoutdoors counsellor before committing and ask any questions about your particular needs.

Following a successful pilot in 2019, run in partnership with eco-psychology specialists The Natural Academy, four WHY counsellors undertook training to be able to offer our own nature connection courses. We now run three WHYoutdoors courses a year, each accommodating up to ten participants.

'Participating in WHYoutdoors gave me the excuse to take time out. It was wonderful to have someone ask you to go off by yourself for 20 minutes and simply find a sit spot and observe the beauty surrounding you before calling you back for some delicious homemade soup. In the afternoons we would be asked what we found or thought, and It makes you think ‘well what did I discover?’. What comes out of your mouth surprises you and then listening others recount their experiences nourishes both you and them.'

Before you join a WHYoutdoors course, you'll have the opportunity for a half-hour chat with one of the facilitators over the phone, to explain more about how the course works and discuss your individual situation. 

For more information and to book a telephone appointment to talk about WHYoutdoors, please call 01373 455255 or email info@wehearyou.org.uk.

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